Zermatt resort / Valais, Switzerland

Zermatt is a famous mountain resort in southern Switzerland. It is best known for its location at the foot of the Matterhorn, one of the most recognizable mountains in the world. Zermatt is a year-round destination, but it is especially popular in winter as a ski resort and in summer for hiking and mountain views. The village is known for its clean environment, traditional alpine style, and strict rules that limit car traffic.

Location

Zermatt is located in the canton of Valais, in southern Switzerland, close to the border with Italy. The village lies in a high alpine valley at an altitude of about 1,600 meters above sea level. The resort is surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the Alps, including the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, and other mountains over 4,000 meters.

How to get there

Zermatt is a car-free village, so private cars are not allowed inside.

• By train: the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn runs straight to Zermatt station from Visp and Brig, where trains from Zurich, Bern, Geneva and Milan stop.
• By car: drive as far as Täsch, park at the Matterhorn Terminal and take the shuttle train to Zermatt. The ride takes about 12 minutes and runs every 20 minutes.

In the village you get around on foot, by electric taxi or on the free ski buses.

Ski area

Zermatt offers one of the highest ski areas in Europe, the Matterhorn Ski Paradise. It is linked over the border with Breuil-Cervinia and Valtournenche in Italy, so you can ski to Italy and back in a day. Thanks to the altitude and the glacier at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, there is skiing all year round, including summer skiing on the glacier. The resort has slopes for beginners, intermediate skiers and experienced riders, as well as off-piste areas for experts (with proper safety knowledge and equipment).

Lift passes and prices (winter 2026–2027)

Zermatt uses dynamic pricing: tickets are cheapest early in the season, at the end of the season and when bought online in advance. Adult prices:

• 1 day: from CHF 89 for Zermatt, from CHF 104 for the international area with Cervinia
• 6 days: from CHF 384 for Zermatt, from CHF 432 with Cervinia
• Summer ski pass (May–October): CHF 99 for one day

Opening dates and working hours

Winter 2026–2027 runs from 1 November 2026 to 3 May 2027 on the glacier and Matterhorn side. The Sunnegga–Rothorn and Gornergrat areas open on 28 November 2026 and close on 11 and 18 April 2027. From May to October summer skiing continues on the glacier, depending on weather and safety conditions.

Daily lift hours

• Most ski lifts operate from around 08:30–09:00 in the morning.
• Closing times are usually between 16:00 and 16:30 in winter.
  Hours may vary by lift and by season.